Ball hitting swing method

ABSTRACT

A process for more accurately delivering a hitting device to a ball, including the steps of: positioning straightly the leading or front leg at the start of and during the process until after contact with the ball, pointing and planting the leading or front foot at least partially in the direction from which the ball is traveling, positioning the hands and the hitting device such that the distal end of the hitting device is below the shoulders and the hitting device is held substantially parallel to the ground at the start of the process, delivering the hitting device in the same plane as the ball is traveling, and utilizing rotation of the trunk and hips about an axis to delivering the hitting device to a ball with little or no forward or lateral movement of the body.

BACKGROUND

Swinging a hitting device, such as a bat, stick, racket, or otherelongated device, to hit an object, such as a ball, also called“hitting” or “a swing”, is a process that involves a number of discretesteps. Some of these steps can or must be performed sequentially, whileother steps can or must be performed in parallel. If each of the steps,or a combination thereof, is not performed optimally, the outcome willbe negatively affected.

The term hitting is defined herein as any condition in which a person,i.e. the “hitter,” uses their hands to swing a device at a ball with theintent to strike the ball. Often the ball follows a trajectory towardthe hitter after having been thrown or hit by a person or anotherdevice. Examples of this condition are found in the games of baseball,softball, tennis, and cricket. Other such conditions exist. A “greathit” is a desired output, such as a line drive in baseball, and iscreated by the optimal connection between the hitting device and theball. This optimal connection occurs when the center line of the bathits the center line of the ball, producing the result of both the batand ball, at the instantaneous moment of contact, traveling in the sameplane in opposite directions, with the bat reversing the direction ofthe ball to an exact opposite direction of its travel prior to contactwith the bat. In addition to the two dimensional aspects described abovewith regard to the optimal connection, there is a third dimension to theoptimal connection, namely that of the direction of the ball aftercoming into contact with the hitting device. For example, a great hit inbaseball has a directional limit defined by the first and thirdbaselines of the playing field. Other games have similar directionallimitation ranges for a desired hit outcome. Although the aboveinformation regarding a ‘great hit’ as a desired output of baseball isfully applicable to the game of softball, other games in which the ballhitting swing method is used may have a different desired output and thedescription of a ‘great hit’ in each will have to be adjusted for thatgame. For example in the game of tennis, a ‘great hit’ will have topspin on the ball when it leaves the racket. The swing to deliver theoptimal connection in that game uses some or all of the same elementsfor the desired output of that game.

Numerous studies have been conducted and several books written about themechanics and science involved in the “optimal” swing. However, asidefrom slight differences in form or stance, conventional hitting orswings tend to be similarly suboptimal. Misconceptions and bad practicesare propagated throughout games involving swings, and through time. Forexample, head movement during a swing can have a substantial adverseimpact on the desired output (quality of hit, line drive, etc.). Themore movement of a hitter's head, the harder it is for the mind and therest of the body to deliver the hitting device to the precise locationwith the right timing to achieve a great hit. Accordingly, conventionalswings continue to utilize techniques that, unless changed considerably,will always yield suboptimal results.

Using baseball as an example, recent swing development has beenprimarily focused on power, i.e. the application of force to the hittingdevice to a ball. However, more power exerted by a hitter, or at leastif power is the primary focus of the swing, typically results in anincrease in head movement or other factors that can reduce the accuracyof the swing. This reduced accuracy is exemplified by the increase inthe number of strikeouts and lower batting averages of “power” hitters.The correlation between strikeouts and power hitters does not mean thatpower is not achievable without the increase in strikeouts, but ratherthat the design of the swing must incorporate elements that eliminate orreduce the detrimental affects of trying to generate power, such as theincreased head movement that results in increased strikeouts. In manygames, such as baseball and softball, what is important is not so muchthe power in a swing, but the quality of the swing (producing “greathits”) and the ability to hit the ball to a desired strategic location.

Quality hits include power, but not at the expense of accuracy. Accuracyrequires a much higher emphasis on a swing that is simplified andcontains no or negligible head movement. Although it is still debatable,time has shown that the players and teams that generate the most hitswill win the most games. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to manyplayers and teams to adhere to a hitting technique that increaseshitting accuracy, and hence, the player's or team's winning percentage.

Simplification of the swing is advantageous when it contributes to lesstime required to deliver the hitting device to the ball and moreaccuracy of the placement of the hitting device to the precise locationof the ball at the right timing. Simplifying the swing, if donecorrectly, can give the hitter more time to assess which balls to swingat and where to place the hitting device for the best quality hit.Starting and delivering the hitting device in the same plane the ball istraveling in is a form of simplification. When the bat starts in or nearthe plane the ball is in, the hitting process does not requireadditional steps to bring the hitting device in the plane of the ball.Thus, the mind and body perform less work to deliver the hitting deviceaccurately to the ball. Reduction of head movement is another form ofsimplification. Head movement has a huge impact on the ability of thehitter to generate higher quality hits. Therefore, the optimal hittingprocess must incorporate steps that eliminate or reduce head movement.

Quantitatively, a five degree rotation of the head in any of the threedimensions results in about a five inch difference in distance betweenwhere the brain may perceive the ball to be compared to its actualposition. This misperception can cause the hitter to swing the bat andmiss the ball. When combined with the other two dimensions of thespatial relationship, it becomes readily apparent that increased headmovement is a crucial detriment to high quality hits. Further, the gamesof baseball, softball, and other games that use a similar style ofhitting process are unique in that there is more penalty for missing bya little than by a lot. For example, in baseball, if a hitter misplacesthe bat by as little as ½″, it can result in a “pop-up” or slow“grounder” that are usually much easier to convert to an “out” ascompared to a line-drive or high quality hit. In comparison, a poorswing, such as missing the ball by 3″, will typically only result in a“strike”. Therefore, swing process elements that contribute to precisionand accuracy of bat placement will result in better quality hits, which,in turn, can make a baseball player a highly successful (and well paid)0.333 hitter (who gets a hit in one out of every three at bats), and amediocre minor leaguer or major league utility player who hats 0.250hitter (one hit in every four at bats).

SUMMARY

This document discloses an improved methodology for a swing that isfocused on accuracy. The methodology is directed to delivering a hittingdevice to a ball based on three main concepts: (1) reduced headmovement, (2) the hitting device starting and being delivered in thesame plane the plane of travel of the ball, and (3) simplification ofthe swing, which gives a hitter more time to observe the ball and decidewhat action to take. To accomplish these three main concepts, the hitterexecutes many elements that include five main swing positions andelements: 1) leading or front leg is stiff at the start and during theswing until after contact with the ball is completed; 2) the leading orfront foot is pointed at least partially in the direction from which theball is traveling, and does not step; 3) the hands and the bat are heldlower than in conventional starting positions, such that the distal endof the bat is positioned below the shoulders, and the bat is heldsubstantially parallel to the ground at the start; 4) the hitting deviceis delivered in the same plane as the ball is traveling (the ball istypically traveling in a slightly downward plane and thus the hittingdevice or bat will be traveling in a slightly upward plane in theopposite direction of the plane of travel of the ball); and 5) the swingutilizes rotation of the trunk and hips about an axis, with no or littleforward or lateral movement of the body.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features and advantages willbe apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects will now be described in detail with referenceto the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a hitter in a ready position forperforming the ball hitting swing method in accordance with exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of a hitter in a ready position forperforming the ball hitting swing method in accordance with exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a hitter in a ready position forperforming the ball hitting swing method in accordance with exemplaryembodiments.

FIG. 4 shows the early position of the ball hitting swing methodaccording to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 5 shows an intermediate position of the ball hitting swing methodin accordance with exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows a later position of the ball hitting swing method inaccordance with exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows another view of the intermediate position of the ballhitting swing method in accordance with the exemplary embodiments.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This document describes a swinging and hitting technique, embodied invarious swing, methods, and processes, that produces an improved swing,thereby maximizing swing quality and desired outputs. The followingdescription relates primarily to the context of the game of baseball andsoftball, with a baseball or softball bat being the hitting device.However this description is not limited to baseball or any particularkind of hitting device, and can apply equally to many kinds of games andhitting devices. The example illustrated by the following figures is aright-handed hitter. The method is equally applicable to a left-handedhitter, but it should be understood that for a left-handed hitter thevarious positions and actions are the opposite as are the case, asillustrated here, for a right-handed hitter.

In accordance with various embodiments, the swing method has three mainconcepts: 1) reduced head movement; 2) the hitting device such as a batis started, moved and delivered to a ball in the plane of the ball asthe ball moves through the air toward the hitter; and 3) the swingprocess is reduced, and the overall swing is simplified, fromconventional swing processes, which gives a hitter more time to see theball. To accomplish these three main concepts, the hitter executes manyelements that include five main swing positions and elements: 1) leadingor front leg is stiff at the start and during the swing until aftercontact with the ball is completed; 2) the leading or front foot ispointed at least partially in the direction from which the ball istraveling, and does not step; 3) the hands and the bat are held lowerthan in conventional starting positions, such that the distal end of thebat is positioned below the shoulders, and the bat is held substantiallyparallel to the ground at the start; 4) the hitting device is deliveredin the same plane as the ball is traveling (the ball is typicallytraveling in a slightly downward plane and thus the hitting device orbat will be traveling in a slightly upward plane in the oppositedirection of the plane of travel of the ball); and 5) the swing utilizesrotation of the trunk and hips about an axis, with no or little forwardor lateral movement of the body.

These concepts, and the associated positions and movements, will now bedescribed in further detail with reference to FIGS. 1-6, whichillustrate the techniques described herein with respect to aright-handed hitter. The technique is the same, albeit a mirror image,for a left-handed hitter. FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show the starting or readyposition 10 for the hitter 20. The ready position is a position wherehitter 20 is holding a hitting device 40 and is preparing to swinghitting device 40 to hit a ball (not shown) that travels from a locationaway from the hitter, i.e. where the hitter is waiting for a baseballpitch, for example. The ready position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3defines a ready position axis 50, represented by α, that extends downthrough the hitter's head 22, torso 24, left leg 26 and left foot 28.Alternatively, the ready position axis 50 extends through head 22, torso24, and between the hitter's left leg 26 and right leg 30, but alignedcloser to the hitter's left foot 28 than to the hitter's right foot 32.During a swing, hitter 20 rotates about the ready position axis 50, tominimize movement of head 22, while also simplifying the swing.

FIG. 1 depicts a side view, FIG. 2 depicts a back view, and FIG. 3depicts a front view of the ready position 10. In accordance with aswing method for hitting a ball, many elements are executed by hitter20, including five key elements. First, the leading or front leg (shownin FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 as left leg 26) is straight, and hitter 20 pushesagainst it, which counteracts or prevents lateral or forward movement ofthe hitter's body during the swing and also keeps the body weight moreevenly distributed over both feet. The knee 27 of the leading or frontleg 26 is not bent and the foot 28 is pointed at least partially towardthe direction from which the ball is coming. This will aid in the hiprotation part of the swing later. Along with the straightened front leg26 there is no step made with front foot 28 or the straightened frontleg 26, to generate no or little lateral or forward movement of thehitter's body and contributes to little or no movement of head 22 andsimplification of the swing. Pushing against the straightened front leg26 with no step being made facilitates a full rotational momentum aroundaxis 50 during the swing, as well as prevents the ‘forward lunging’caused when the hitter is fooled by a curveball or change-up because theweight is kept more evenly distributed over both feet during the mainpart of the swing. Straightened front leg 26 remains stiff during theready position and for most of the swing method thereafter. Aftercontact with the ball is made, straightened front leg 26 can then bebent or released.

Second, the left arm 34 and right arm 36 are bent, and the left wrist 35and right wrist 37 are cocked backward and positioned as shown (rightelbow 38 is down and close to the body/torso, left upper arm 36 isagainst the left side of torso 24). Right arm 36 and right wrist 37 arepositioned differently. Right arm 36 is down and tucked against torso24. Right wrist 37 is working to get hitting device 40 back and down soit is close to parallel to the horizontal plane 60, represented by an Hin FIG. 2. In this way, the bat is ready to be moved forward when hitter20 rotates the body. That rotation will deliver hitting device 40 in aplane very close to if not in the same plane as the ball. Thispositioning and method contribute to the simplification of the swing.

Third, right leg 30, the trailing leg, is bent with the knee 31 dippedslightly toward the ground. Fourth, the hips 39 are substantially“closed” but slightly “open” to facilitate both eyes being positioned toclearly see the full view of the pitcher (and allowing for both rightand left eye-dominant hitters to have full utilization of both eyes).Fifth, head 22 is slightly cocked to a hitting position (i.e. theposition the head will be in when hitting, so that no head movement isnecessary during the swing). The slightly cocked head 22 is also part ofbeing in alignment with axis 50 and stays there during the swing untilafter contact is made.

Additionally, hitting device 40 is positioned and aligned at an angle70, represented by β as shown in FIG. 3, which is near parallel with theground 80. For example ±20 degrees from horizontal plane 60, which putsthe hitting device in or near an initial plane that coincides with ananticipated trajectory of the ball. This position is significantly lowerwhen compared to current practice and theory, as can be seen by watchingany major league game on the television which will feature a widevariety of hitting stances, some of which begin with the bat heldcompletely above the shoulders. In such position, the hitting device canbe moved straight forward in the plane associated with angle 70 withouthaving to change planes, as occurs with a traditional swing when thefirst thing the batter must do upon deciding to swing at a ball is toangle the bat from shoulder level (or in some cases, higher) down towardwhere he thinks the ball will be at the time his bat crosses theprojected trajectory of the ball. The positioning taught by thisinvention contributes to the simplification of the swing. This allows ahitter more time to watch the pitch before executing rotation of thebody around axis 50 for delivery of the hitting device, because theswing movement is more direct toward the ball and takes less time.Preferably, the initial plane is slightly ascending (i.e. −β) relativeto the horizontal plane 60 forward from the hitter (i.e. the ball is ona downward trajectory). With more time to watch the ball, the hitter canmake a better determination as to whether the ball will be a “ball” or a“strike”, and will have more time to try to deduce what kind of pitch isbeing thrown, as a curveball will have different movement and will getto the plate in a different manner than a change-up.

The hitting device 40 being swung in the same plane as the ball reducesdifficulties of timing. The hitter has more time in which to hit theball. Aligning the angle of the plane of hitting device 40 swing to thatof the ball's trajectory means more time for the hitter to have the batin the place for a good hit. Conversely, if hitting device 40 is in aplane that only briefly intersects with the plane of the ball, as is thecase with most contemporary batters, the time available in which to hitthe ball is greatly reduced, and there is a lower probability of hittingthe ball which also reduces the quality of hits. Put another way, theoptimal connection occurs when the center line of the bat hits thecenter line of the ball and reverses the direction of the ball toexactly the opposite direction it had been traveling. The greater theangle at which hitting device 40 and the ball intersect seriouslyreduces the window of time in which to make a good connection with thebat to the ball (which negatively affects “timing”). A very smallimprovement in the “timing” generates a huge impact on improving thedesired results (high quality hits). Keep in mind that the initialalignment and the delivery of the swing plane are part of thesimplification of the swing.

FIG. 4 shows the start of the swing in the swing method. The start ofthe swing is also the start of rotation by hitter 20 around axis 50.Since there is no step forward with the stiff front left leg 26 withunbent knee 27, there is no timing required for the step in the swingprocess. Hitter 20 will not be fooled by fast vs. off-speed pitches.Hitter 20 also has more time to decide what type of pitch it is andwhich pitch to swing at. Hitter 20 can then execute the simplified swingprocess keeping the body weight evenly distributed over both feet. Theswing method minimizes unnecessary motions that inhibit effectivedelivery of hitting device 40 to the ball, and minimizes head movement.These are elements or factors in the simplification of the swing. Asshown in FIG. 4, left arm 34 and right arm 36 do not move significantlyor change from the ready position shown in FIGS. 1-3. Only hips 39 havestarted to rotate about the axis 50. The position of the head 22, leftarm 34 and right arm 36, and left leg 26 and right leg 30 are kept thesame, at least initially.

FIG. 5 shows a mid position of the swing. Hips 39 continue to rotateabout the axis 50. Torso 24 starts to also rotate around axis 50. Duringthis mid position, hitter 20 will start to decide to drive the handstoward the ball for a pitched ball the hitter desires to hit. In thiscase, the arms first unbend, and then the wrists uncock in a timedfashion such that the bat meets the ball just a little in front of thehitter. The palms of the hands are essentially juxtaposed to each other(i.e. leading arm is palm down and other arm is palm up), and the armsare approximately fully extended. In this condition, hitter 20 is in aposition to hit the ball.

FIG. 6 illustrates the continuation of the rotation about the axis 50.Stiff front left leg 26 and bent right leg 30 and head 22 are not moved,thereby allowing the batter to concentrate on hitting the ball withoutadditional confounding variables such as adjusting the swing to accountfor the movement of his head. As the hands reach maximum extension fromthe body they now start to follow the rotation with the rest of the bodyaround axis 50. In order to maintain or increase the speed of hittingdevice 40 while keeping hitting device 40 in the plane of the ball, theright hand crosses over the left largely due to the momentum of thebarrel of hitting device 40. This also minimizes or eliminates movementof head 22 from the swing. Hitting device 40 is still traveling in aslightly upward plane, which is counter to the projected downward planeof the ball. Stiff front left leg 26 with unbent left knee 27 and leftfoot 28 are being pushed against as part of the extension of axis 50which is being rotated around. These forces result in the hitter's bodynot moving forward. The right leg 30 is bent and downward to drive offof the foot and to keep the swing powerful without significant headmovement. The fact that there is little or no head movement in thedelivery of a swing results in a better quality hit.

FIG. 7 shows another view of the intermediate position of the swing,focusing on axis 50. Hips 39 continue to rotate about axis 50. Torso 24starts to also rotate around axis 50. During this mid position, hitter20 will start to decide to drive the hands toward the ball for a pitchedball the hitter desires to hit. In this case, the arms first unbend, andthen the wrists uncock in a timed fashion such that the bat meets theball just a little in front of the hitter. The palms of the hands areessentially juxtaposed to each other (i.e. leading arm is palm down andother arm is palm up), and the arms are approximately fully extended. Inthis condition, hitter 20 is in a position to hit the ball.

The speed of hitting device 40 is provided by rotation of the hitter'strunk or torso 24, extension of the arms and hands toward the ball andthe ‘uncocking’ of both wrists. When the arms are extended, the wristsare uncocked and the torso is being rotated, the speed of hitting device40 is also provided by passing the hand of the back arm over the top ofthe front arm's hand. The timing and combination of these componentscreates the maximum impact to the ball from the hitting device 40.

In some embodiments, hitting device 40 is positioned at the start of aswing in a plane that is substantially parallel to the ground. Thehitter swings hitting device 40 with a rotational motion, with a stifffront leg, without lifting the forward leg and without stepping forward.This keeps the process simple and eliminates or minimizes head movement.With hitting device 40 in or closer to the plane the ball is travelingin and with only a rotational motion, the process is simplified fromconventional swing methods to give a quicker and more accurate deliveryof the bat to the ball in a shorter amount of time. This gives thehitter more time to assess the location and activity of the ballcontributing to improved results by the hitter.

Not all of these steps or elements are required to be executed in oneswing to fall within the scope of some embodiments described herein. Amethod that employs any one of the elements, movements, techniques, orvarious combinations of them can realize beneficial results. As withmany processes or process improvements, the degree of effectiveexecution will significantly affect the outcome (or outputs) beingmeasured. Although a few embodiments have been described in detailabove, other modifications are possible. Other embodiments may be withinthe scope of the following claims.

1. A method for swinging a hitting device to hit a ball travelingtowards a hitter holding the hitting device from a location away from ahitter holding the hitting device, the method comprising the steps of:a) a first step, comprising providing the hitter in a ready positionbefore swinging the hitting device, the ready position comprisingstraightening a leading leg of the hitter at the knee to produce a stiffleading leg before commencing a swing with the hitting device, where thestiff leading leg is positioned toward the direction of an incomingball, and positioning the hitting device below the hitter's shoulders;b) a second step, comprising a swing, which comprises delivering thehitting device toward the direction of an incoming ball whilemaintaining the stiff leading leg without moving the stiff leading legtoward the direction of an incoming ball where the hitting device isswung within a swing plane substantially coincident with the movementplane associated with a projected travel path of the incoming ball; andc) a third step, comprising rotating the torso of the hitter about anaxis that extends through the hitter's head, through the middle of thehitter's torso, and through the leading leg.
 2. A method for swinging ahitting device to hit a ball traveling towards a hitter holding thehitting device from a location away from a hitter holding the hittingdevice, the method comprising the steps of: a) a first step, comprisingproviding the hitter in a ready position before swinging the hittingdevice, the ready position comprising straightening a leading leg of thehitter at the knee to produce a stiff leading leg before commencing aswing with the hitting device, where the stiff leading leg is positionedtoward the direction of an incoming ball: b) a second step, a swing,which comprises delivering the hitting device toward the direction of anincoming ball while maintaining the stiff leading leg; and, c) a thirdstep, comprising rotating the torso of the hitter about an axis thatextends through the hitter's head, through the middle of the hitter'storso, and through the leading leg.
 3. The method of claim 2, where thefirst step additionally comprises positioning the hitting-device belowthe hitter's shoulders.
 4. The method of claim 2, where the second stepadditionally comprises the hitting device being swung within a swingplane substantially coincident with the movement plane associated with aprojected travel path of the incoming ball.
 5. The method of claim 2,where, the first step additionally comprises positioning the hittingdevice below the hitter's shoulders, and the second step additionallycomprises the hitting device being swung within a swing planesubstantially coincident with the movement plane associated with aprojected travel path of the incoming ball, and where the hitting deviceis swung without moving the stiff leading leg toward the direction of anincoming ball.
 6. The method of claim 5, where, the first stepadditionally comprises positioning the hitting device below the hitter'sshoulders, and the second step additionally comprises delivering thehitting device toward the direction of an incoming ball whilemaintaining the stiff leading leg without moving the stiff leading legtoward the direction of an incoming ball.
 7. The method of claim 2,where, the first step additionally comprises positioning the hittingdevice below the hitter's shoulders, and the second step additionallycomprises delivering the hitting device toward the direction of anincoming ball while maintaining the stiff leading leg without taking astep with the stiff leading leg, and where the hitting device is swungwithin a swing plane substantially coincident with the movement planeassociated with a projected travel path of the incoming ball.
 8. Themethod of claim 2, where, the first step additionally comprisespositioning the hitting device below the hitter's shoulders, and thesecond step additionally comprises delivering the hitting device towardthe direction of an incoming ball while maintaining the stiff leadingleg without taking a slide with the stiff leading leg.
 9. The method ofclaim 2, where, the first step additionally comprises positioning thehitting device below the hitter's shoulders, and the second stepadditionally comprises delivering the hitting device toward thedirection of an incoming ball while maintaining the stiff leading legwithout taking a step or a slide with the stiff leading leg.
 10. Amethod for swinging a hitting device to hit a ball traveling towards ahitter holding the hitting device from a location away from a hitterholding the hitting device, the method comprising the steps of: a) afirst step, comprising providing the hitter in a ready position beforeswinging the hitting device, the ready position comprising positioningthe hitting device below the hitter's shoulders; b) a second step, aswing, which comprises delivering the hitting device toward thedirection of an incoming ball where the hitting device is swung within aswing plane substantially coincident with the movement plane associatedwith a projected travel path of the incoming ball; and c) a third step,comprising rotating the torso of the hitter about an axis that extendsthrough the hitter's head, through the middle of the hitter's torso, andthrough the leading leg.
 11. The method of claim 10, where the firststep additionally comprises straightening a leading leg of the hitter atthe knee to produce a stiff leading leg before commencing a swing withthe hitting device, where the stiff leading leg is positioned toward thedirection of an incoming ball.
 12. The method of claim 10, where thesecond step additionally comprises delivering the hitting device towardthe direction of an incoming ball, while maintaining the stiff leadingleg without moving the stiff leading leg toward the direction of anincoming ball.
 13. The method of claim 10, where the first stepadditionally comprises straightening a leading leg of the hitter at theknee to produce a stiff leading leg before commencing a swing with thehitting device, where the stiff leading leg is positioned toward thedirection of an incoming ball, and the second step additionallycomprises delivering the hitting device toward the direction of anincoming ball while maintaining the stiff leading leg without moving thestiff leading leg toward the direction of an incoming ball.
 14. Themethod of claim 10, where the second step additionally comprisesdelivering the hitting device toward the direction of an incoming ballwhile maintaining the stiff leading leg without taking a step with thestiff leading leg.
 15. The method of claim 10, where the second stepadditionally comprises delivering the hitting device toward thedirection of an incoming ball while maintaining the stiff leading legwithout taking a slide with the stiff leading leg.
 16. The method ofclaim 10, where the second step additionally comprises delivering thehitting device toward the direction of an incoming ball whilemaintaining the stiff leading leg without taking a step or a slide withthe stiff leading leg.
 17. The method of claim 10, where the first stepadditionally comprises straightening a leading leg of the hitter at theknee to produce a stiff leading leg before commencing a swing with thehitting device, and where the first step additionally comprises thestiff leading leg positioned toward the direction of an incoming ball,and the second step additionally comprises delivering the hitting devicetoward the direction of the incoming ball while maintaining the stiffleading leg without moving the stiff leading leg toward the direction ofan incoming ball.